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Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has highlighted claims that exporting renewable energy to Britain does not make economic sense.

Speaking following the launch of a report by BW Energy, Deputy Colreavy said:

“Sinn Féin has consistently maintained that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Minister Rabbitte and the British government in 2013 on the export of renewable energy was a mistake.

“Today’s report reinforces the point that the exporting of renewable energy from wind from Ireland to Britain does not make economic sense.

“The report finds that the Irish state is unlikely to receive a substantial price for exported wind energy due to the fact that it will be exporting this energy when there is a strong wind blowing over Ireland, at the same time there will most likely be a strong wind also blowing over Britain. This will result in Irish energy competing with British renewable sources, produced at a reduced cost.

“As identified in this report, transferring energy from Scotland to England and Wales is significantly cheaper than importing it from Ireland. Therefore Ireland is already at a competitive disadvantage.

“The BW Energy report also points out that depending too heavily on energy produced from wind as it has the potential to destabilise the Irish grid. Sinn Féin has highlighted the need for government to vary its approach to renewable energy to include hydro, tidal, geothermal and biomass sources.

“Depending too heavily on wind energy will allow Ireland to reach its renewable energy targets as set out by the European Union but it will not deliver energy security needed or promote economic growth.”